More About Continental Congress
Constitution Hall, Washington D.C.
Learn more about what Pax Romana does
at Continental Congress by clicking here!
Candy, Cara and Marti​ at Congress, 2013
The Daughters of the American Revolution Continental Congress is a time-honored tradition that has been held in Washington, D.C. as the annual national meeting of the DAR membership since the organization’s founding in 1890. Not to be confused with the United States “Congress,” the DAR national meeting is named after the original Continental Congress which governed the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War. Want to know more, check-out these great short videos on the original historic USA (non-DAR) Continental Congress.
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Historical Background
Since the founding of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in 1890, the organization has held Continental Congress, its annual national meeting, in Washington, D.C. National, state and chapter leaders as well as other members from across the world meet at the DAR National Headquarters for a week during the summer to report on the year’s work, honor outstanding award recipients, plan future initiatives and reconnect with friends.
Those in attendance include more than 3,000 Daughters representing the membership of 175,000 who hail from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and over a dozen chapters in foreign countries. Since its founding, the DAR has promoted historic preservation, education and patriotism, and those objectives are reflected in all of the events of DAR Continental Congress.
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The week-long convention consists of business sessions, committee meetings, social functions, and formal evening ceremonies. These evening ceremonies, held in the historic DAR Constitution Hall, mix pomp and circumstance with moving award presentations and musical entertainment.
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In addition to member awards, student essay winners and scholarship awards, the DAR presents its top national awards at the convention, including:
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DAR Medal of Honor
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Americanism Award
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Outstanding Veteran of the Year
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Dr. Anita Newcomb McGee Award (Army Nurse of the Year)
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Outstanding Teacher of American History
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DAR Good Citizen of the Year
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DAR Conservation Award
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Founders Medals for Patriotism and Education
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DAR Media Award
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Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year
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Outstanding Community Service Award
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American History Scholarship Winner
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The Margaret Cochran Corbin Award (distinguished women in military service)
Continental Congress used to be a VERY formal occasion, with all attendees required to wear black, gloves and hats! Nowadays, the dress is a bit more "business casual," so some of the historic formality is gone (though everyone is still quite formal for the extravagant evening sessions!). The exception to this however, is working in the PG’s service where they are very strict about dress. We HAVE to wear gloves! (OVVIAMENTE, nobody will find a Pax Romanan at Continental Congress without her exquisite handmade, artisanal Merola Gloves!)
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Building History
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The DAR National Headquarters complex occupies an entire city block near the White House (see map below) and includes three adjoining buildings, two of which are Registered National Landmarks: DAR Memorial Continental Hall (built 1905), DAR Constitution Hall (built 1929), and the Administration Building
(built 1920, 1950).
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Constitution Hall was built in 1929 and designed by John Russell Pope. The cornerstone was laid by Mrs. Calvin Coolidge on October 30, 1928, using the trowel George Washington used to lay the cornerstone at the Capitol in 1793. Mrs. Herbert Hoover was the guest speaker at the formal dedication on April 19, 1929.
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Learn more about the history of the entire DAR complex in the DAR National Headquarters Building History online exhibition.
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At the completion of Memorial Continental Hall in 1905, a reporter for the Washington Evening Star wrote: “This Valhalla is unique. It is the costliest and most impressive monument of its kind ever built by women in this country or any other. Many other halls of fame have been erected and other grand monuments consecrated to the memory of some individual heroic figure in the history of our nation, but this is the first building dedicated to all the recognized heroes of the American Revolution: men and women alike. From the artistic standpoint it is one of the finest buildings which the beautiful Capital contains, and from the utilitarian it is destined to become one of the most useful.”
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Constitution Hall Today
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The Hall is home to the exciting DAR Continental Congress, which takes place each summer. Since 1930, members of the DAR have come to Constitution Hall to conduct business and elect new officers during their annual convention.
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Over the years, Constitution Hall has hosted many popular performers and speakers. In 1985, the Department of the Interior designated the building a National Historic Landmark due to its national recognition as a center for the performing arts.
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With a seating capacity of 3,702, DAR Constitution Hall is the largest concert hall in Washington, D.C. and therefore constantly is used as the setting to host a variety of events including concerts, speakers, films, and graduations.
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There are many beautiful rooms, terraces with views on the capitol, lush outdoor gardens, and many angles housing historical art and artifacts, even a museum. Take a Virtual Tour on the DAR website.
Location
Candy & Marti with the Eagle
in the lobby of Constitution Hall (Congress, 2014)
